Medvedev hopes for honest, productive talks with Obama

MOSCOW. February 14. KAZINFORM Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday he is looking forward to an open, honest and productive discussion on Russia-U.S. relations during his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.

The meeting between Medvedev and Obama is expected to take place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in London on April 2. "I believe the talks should be open, honest and hopefully productive," Medvedev said in an interview with the state television network Rossia. "We received encouraging signals from the new U.S. administration and U.S. president, which indicate that our counterparts are willing to work," Medvedev said. "I hope we will meet and discuss all issues that are now on the agenda between Russia and the United States. There are many such issues," he said. Russia-U.S. relations have deteriorated in recent years over a string of events, including NATO's eastward enlargement and Washington's plan to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe. However, both sides have voiced their willingness to repair bilateral ties since Obama took office on Jan. 20, Kazinform cites Xinhuanet.